Four Directions is supporting the nomination of Takalik Abaj Archaeological Site as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other Maya Archaeological Sites that have been awarded with such declaration are: Tikal, Quirigua, Copan, Joyas de Ceren, Calakmul, Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Takalik Abaj will be the first Pre-Classic Maya Site to be included in the “list” and the “overlap” of Olmec and Maya style monuments that is unique to this site, makes it the perfect candidate. Although this process has to be conducted by officials from the Government of Guatemala Ministry of Culture, it needs the support of the private sector which is coordinated by COMITURS , the Guatemala Sustainable Tourism Commission.

Upon a proposal made by Alfonso Muralles on behalf of Four Directions, COMITURS included in its 2010 Work Plan supporting this nomination process. A first meeting took place at COMITURS with the archaeologists in charge of the site, and since then several other meetings have taken place, now with the participation of governmental officers from the Ministry of Culture as well as Four Directions and Takalik Maya Lodge , a hotel located near the site.

Located in the South West of Guatemala, in area known as the Pacific Coastal Plains, Takalik Abaj has hundreds of monuments and structures in a series of terraces in the lush piedmont where the Highlands descend towards the ocean. Some monuments are Olmec style and are dated 800 BC and some monuments are Maya style and are dated from the first century AD. It is still a sacred place for the living Maya of the area.

Declaring Takalik Abaj as a World Heritage Site is not only well deserved but it will bring attention to the Pre-Classic Maya Archaeology and to a geographical region that includes the nearby Izapa Archaeological Site located in the Mexican State of Chiapas.

COMITURS under the leadership of Alfonso Muralles that is a member of its Board of Directors understands that sustainable tourism projects will be triggered by the declaration of Takalik Abaj and will foster the development of rural communities in the region.

COMITURS, bajo el liderazgo de Alfonso Muralles, que es miembro de su Junta Directiva, entiende perfectamente que la declaración de Takalik Abaj motivará proyectos de turismo sostenible que apoyarán el desarrollo de comunidades rurales de la región.
Declaring Takalik Abaj as a World Heritage Site is not only well deserved but it will bring attention to the Pre-Classic Maya Archaeology and to a geographical region that includes the nearby Izapa Archaeological Site located in the Mexican State of Chiapas.

COMITURS under the leadership of Alfonso Muralles that is a member of its Board of Directors understands that sustainable tourism projects will be triggered by the declaration of Takalik Abaj and will foster the development of rural communities in the region.

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Certified in compliance with GREAT Green Deal requirements on sustainable tourism Silver Level

FOUR DIRECTIONS has obtained a Silver Degree Certification in Sustainable Tourism, issued by GREAT Green Deal.

FOUR DIRECTIONS is a Tour Operator and Destination Management Company -DMC- with operations in Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. This year, the company undertook the challenge to certify its sustainable tourism practices and accomplished such endeavor with the Silver degree distinction. The GREAT Green Deal certificate number is CCGGD002-101-10, expiration date Sept. 16th, 2011.